vance of us on the same road, For eight successive days indered on in that labyrinth of valleys, but in vain although in the heart of their territory, neither the Canadian nor the Blackfeet were to be found. Large marauding parties of the Crees were beating the country at that time, and it appeared evident from the tracks that they had carried everything before them. It snowed without intermission during four days --- our poor horses were nearly exhaunted -- my wallet contained nothing but crumbs -- the passage from the east to the western side of the mountains was become impracticable, and I had no alternative but to repair to one of the forts of the Hudson Bay Company, and beg hospitality during the inclement season.
The entire region in the vicinity of the first eastern chain of the Rocky Mountains, serving as their base for thirty or sixty miles, is extremely fertile, abounding in forests, plains, prairies, lakes, streams and mineral springs. The
doubt you would like to know whether I have entirely given up returning to the Indian country; whether I shall be seen again amon the Blackfeet? This is my answer: I have not given it up at all - I desire ardently and with all the sincerity of my heart to see ray friends the F3lackfeet again, to find myself in the midst of their little children, whom I tenderly love, and of whom a great number have already been regenerated in' the holy waters of baptism. * * * What prevents my leaving 5t. Louis is this - I am filling a position which keeps me very much occupied, and there is no one to take my place -we have many churches, many colleges, many schools, in the States, and unfortunately there are too few of us for so great a task. I hope that other Fathers may soon come to us from Europe, and that then I can be released, and allowed the fulfilment of my desire, permission to tread once more the Indian soil. * * * So you see that the enterprise is not abandoned, but rather postponed.
From John Rowand, Edmonton, December 3, t84s.
Beware, my good sir, of your interpreter Bird. I-It hater everything connected with the French or Canadians. Munroe is not a bad sort of man, but I cannot recommend him as fit to interpret what you have to say to the natives. Munroe does well enough at a trading post and in the shop.